A Web of Ideas

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Ace of Swords:

Ah, the tool of the visionary....  She's been to the top of the mountain and has seen the lay of the land.  The sword will cut away any fluffy nonsense, because she's interested in ideas that bring fruit (as shown on the branches).  The sword pierces the center of the crown, implying that these ideas came from a source other than ego (crown chakra).  The sword is held in the right hand, indicating the active masculine side; she'll need this quality to bring these ideas down to earth to make them practical.

     From the Beasts of Albion, the "Spider:"

This particular spider has a mark on its back that looks very much like a sword.  She is the physical representation of ideas - she weaves the web to create what her inspiration imagined.  There is a spider web across two bushes in front of the gate I use before dawn every morning, when I take out the trash.  In the dark, I can never see it, but I feel it on my face when I pass through it.  The spider reweaves it every day - my morning intrusion and damage doesn't seem to deter her a bit.  Sometimes weaving those ideas into reality require us to be quite persistent...

Charity and Compassion

This week I'll be using the Llewellyn Tarot, created by Anna-Marie Ferguson.  Today's card is the Six of Pentacles:

A woman, who doesn't look exceptionally wealthy, stops to give money to a woman and child who are selling flowers.  This image made me think of a remark a woman from my book club made: "Lower-income Americans give proportionally more of their income to charity than do upper-income Americans."  Of course I had to verify this on my own, and was surprised to find she was correct (see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22FOB-wwln-t.html).  Basically, studies have shown that people with less money were more attuned to the needs of others and more committed to the values of egalitarianism.  The wealthy, on the other hand, prioritized their own needs without much empathy for others.  Food for thought as we Americans draw closer to another presidential election.

     The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Beasts of Albion, created by Miranda Gray.  Today's draw is the "Dolphin:"

This dolphin, with its overflowing chalice, teaches the lessons of empathy, compassion, and helpfulness.  I have heard people excuse their behavior by saying, "I can't help it.  That's just my personality."  Now I believe if we can learn to ride a bike or use a computer, we can learn to do change our character traits as well.  But we only learn by doing.  If I want to develop into a more loving and giving person, I practice those actions until they become second-nature.  Forget the justifications and explanations please...

Hidden Knowledge and Power

  From the Gaian Tarot, the Moon:

Phases of the moon circle around a woman as she lifts up water in her cupped hands.  The salmon, wolf, and owl accompany her, representing wisdom, instruction, and the ability to see what is hidden.  Humans are so cut off from nature; we love to surf the internet for lovely pictures or watch the latest wildlife show on public television, but rarely do we get out in it.  Even more unlikely is that we would ever consider nature had something to teach us.  Behind this woman is a carving in stone, the Venus of Laussel created approximately 23,000 years ago in France.  The horn with the 13 notches she holds represents the full moons in one year; her hand on her belly indicates she knew intimately how her body was connected to the lunar phases.  The lessons and insights nature offers us are hidden in plain sight; the natural world only requires that we spend time there without expectation or prejudice to discern its wisdom.  Patience and an open mind will be rewarded.

     From the Goddess Oracle, "Lilith: Power:"

I've often heard Lilith described as the "bad girl of the Bible."  Why was she bad?  Simply because she chose to follow what she felt was right, rather than listen to what a man told her to do.  I shudder when I think how many times young females hear, "Now be a good girl.  Mind your teachers (parents, preachers...)."  Heaven forbid that we decide that we can think for ourselves.  Even as an adult woman, I still feel twinges of the past when I tell someone "no" or insist on doing things in my own way.  Lilith reminds me that it's time to reclaim our power and our brains.

Teachers and Trust

   From the Gaian Tarot, the Teacher (Hierophant):

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”  ~ Benjamin Franklin

How serendipitous - I was out at the pond yesterday, working with some plant allies (and spotted a Little Blue Heron there), and now I draw a card with a elderly man surrounded by his allies.  This human teacher seems to have a gentle spirit, and I can't help thinking of Thich Nhat Hahn (with hair) when I look at him.  But what I notice most about him is that he is not holding a book or giving a lecture in a classroom.  He's in the midst of his own teachers, getting grass stains on his pants and dirt under his fingernails.  Books and seminars are good, but true learning comes when I get out of my head and actually apply the knowledge in the world.

     From the Goddess Oracle comes "Blodeuwedd: Betrayal:"

Blodeuwedd, the Welsh goddess of spring, was only unfaithful to her husband (the sun god), but also killed him.  For her punishment, she was turned into an owl.  Betrayal often has a steep learning curve; the more pain we experience, the greater the likelihood we will want to avoid that person or situation again.  But having talked to many women about men, employers, etc. who deceived them, one of the things I usually hear is, "I should have seen the signs."  If a person always has an excuse for the small things - showing up late (or not at all), incomplete paperwork, not returning a phone call - it's quite likely they will be irresponsible when it comes to the big things.  Before choosing someone to give my trust to, I need to keep my eyes wide open to any little flags waving in the breeze.

Innovations and Fresh Ideas

  From the Gaian Tarot, the Magician:

Rather than the wand most magicians have, this man connects to Spirit through drumming.  His spiritual connection is evident not just by the infinity sign over his head, but by the look on his face - pure bliss.  The feather, candle, stone and shell on his altar represent the four elements; these resources are available for him to use to creatively express himself.  There is something quite magical that happens when we release the hold of ego and tap into our Higher Self (or whatever you choose to call it).  What we are able to produce is more innovative and wonderful than anything we could have generated on our own.  Yet inspiration is only part of the equation; the will must be focused so that we bring this discovery down to earth and into reality.

     From the Goddess Oracle, "Vila: Shape-shifting:"

Vila was a name given to the powerful nature spirits in eastern Europe.  These woodland beings guarded the plants and animals of the forest, and could shape-shift into any natural being or element.  Vila's lesson is to become more flexible in the way we think and the way we act.  The way to wholeness is through expanding our awareness and perception rather than fighting to stay comfortably in the our own little box.  It's easy to think we're open-minded and adaptable, but what happens when we meet someone who has opinions or ideas very different from our own?  Do we immediately feel the need to push back by asserting our views and defending our position?  Or can we listen with open ears and a receptive mind to see if perhaps there is something new to learn?

Survival and Sustenance

   From the Gaian Tarot, the Five of Earth (Pentacles):

A hiker, too deep in the forest to simply walk back out, finds himself surprised by a storm.  He has built a shelter from fallen wood, vines and branches in which to take refuge.  The number five speaks to the challenges of being human.  Survival is an instinctual response - amazing stories have come from people who were determined to beat the odds and live.  Many of these folks had no choice in what happened, and had to deal with the roll of the dice the best way they could.  But in some cases, people are so self-centered and unmindful of what's around them, they miss all the signs that point to what is coming.  Like the hiker above (who should have checked the Weather Channel before his trip), they are so busy with what they want, they fail to consider what they might need.

     From the Goddess Oracle, "Corn Woman: Nourishment:"

In the legends of the Penobscot people, the Corn Mother was a maiden born from the dew and light on a leaf.  She married and had children, but as all the animals the tribe depended on for food began to disappear, the people began to starve.  The woman begged her husband to kill her and bury her bones so that she could supply food for everyone.  He refused at first, but finally gave in when he saw that his children would die soon.  The woman's bones and flesh were transformed into the first corn that sustained the people.  Because she gave her life that others might live, eating was considered a sacred act.  The Corn Mother teaches us that nourishing ourselves should not be considered a chore, rushed or avoided, for all forms of nourishment bring balance and wholeness to our lives.

Twirling and Swirling

  From the Gaian Tarot, the Six of Fire (Wands):

Four women drum, one plays a flute, and another dances under the stars.  Struggle, frustration, and great effort have given way to joy, release and celebration.  I miss the drumming circle I was a part of in the past; it always took me out of time and place, and was a natural high.  Though we came from different backgrounds, there was such a sense of unity and passion in the group.  We lifted each other up with each beat we played and healed ourselves as well.  For me, there was no greater feeling of community than that.

     From the Goddess Oracle, "Oya: Change:"

Oya is the Yoruban goddess of thunder, lightning, tornadoes, winds, rainstorms and hurricanes.  She has a warrior's spirit and protects all women who call on her.  She represents change, transition, and the chaos that often brings it about. Her purpose is to clear away what has become useless to make way for the new.  Oya teaches me to be receptive to change, as fighting it will only keep me in turmoil longer.  My job is to be patient and persevere until storm subsides.